Seduced by ego
Charmed by power.
Threatened by opposition, captivated by pride
Fearing anyone who might steal the limelight
Herod – the self-consumed King
I dare look inside my life again
And while I may prefer to ignore it
I see some Herod in me
I can seek to excuse myself
“I haven’t slaughtered innocents”
But wait a minute,
Yes, the same self-consuming spirit beckons me.
We all have some Herod in us
Fiercely protecting what we see is ours
Holding tight fisted to control
Not wanting others to get in the way
Clinging to self, at the expense of love.
Herods are everywhere
In all domains of life, including the Church
Personal kingdom builders
Self absorbed leaders
People chasing their own agendas
Expediently treading on those that get in the way
Often ruthless
Often offended.
And into such a world, caught up with itself
Love with skin on comes to town
A back-block born babe
Soon a refugee, on the run with his parents
Humble. Not seeking the spotlight
At home with those pushed to the margins
At home with those the religious shunned
The very opposite to Herod
A most unexpected King
The Servant King.
Who loves us like no other
Who esteems us with service
Who beckons us into brokenness and injustice
Who calls us from comfort to the needs of others
Who sends us to the margins
Who fills us with hope.
In a world so often dominated by Herods
The scandal of Christmas remains
God is transforming the world
Through the humble and ordinary
Through the broken and weak
Through the least likely
Herods will come, Herods will go.
APilgrimPens 